Published on: Thu, 14 Feb 2019
Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on Yarrowia lipolytica yeast biomass as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF is the dried and heat‐killed biomass of Yarrowia lipolytica, a yeast species that is widespread in nature and which can be found in the environment as well as in foods. The production process is sufficiently describ...

Published on: Wed, 13 Feb 2019
In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicants Syngenta Crop Protection B.V. and Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) submitted, respectively, a request to the competent national authorities in the Netherlands and United Kingdom to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance mandipropamid in various crops. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive MRL propo...

Monmouth Junction, NJ, Tris Pharma, Inc. is expanding the scope of its November 2018 recall by adding three (3) additional lots of Ibuprofen Oral Suspension Drops, USP, 50 mg per 1.25 mL, to the retail (pharmacy) level. Some units from these batches have been found to have higher levels of Ibuprofen concentration.

Published on: Fri, 25 Jan 2019
The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP Panel) assessed the safety of poly((R)‐3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐(R)‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH), CAS No 147398‐31‐0 and food contact material (FCM) substance No 1059. This biodegradable copolymer is produced by fermentation of palm oil using a genetically modified microorganism (Cupriavidus necator). Overall migration was up to 5.4 mg/kg. Oligomers are hydroxyl‐terminated or with crotyl‐ and hexenyl end‐...

Published on: Tue, 22 Jan 2019
The food enzyme lysophospholipase (EC 3.1.1.5) is produced with the genetically modified Trichoderma reesei strain RF7206 by AB Enzymes GmbH. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. The lysophospholipase food enzyme is intended to be used in starch processing for the production of glucose syrups. Residual amounts of total organic solids (TOS) are removed by the ...

Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited is expanding its voluntary recall from 10 lots of Losartan potassium tablets USP to include 6 lots of Losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets, USP, to the consumer level due to the detection of trace amounts of an unexpected impurity found in an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufactured by Hetero Labs Limited.

Published on: Mon, 21 Jan 2019
In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant Bayer Hellas AG submitted a request to the competent national authority in Greece to modify the existing maximum residue level (MRL) for the active substance trifloxystrobin in broccoli. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive an MRL proposal for broccoli. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of trifloxystrobin o...

Published on: Mon, 21 Jan 2019
In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant Dow AgroSciences Denmark submitted a request to the competent national authority in the United Kingdom to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance aminopyralid in cereals. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposals for barley, rye, sorghum, millet and oats. A modification of the existing MRL of aminopyralid in wh...

Published on: Thu, 17 Jan 2019
The Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP Panel) of EFSA assessed the safety for the target species and the consumer of the use of a maximum total level of 1.5 mg vitamin D3/kg feed in fish nutrition (2017). The assessment was based on data that had been provided by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA). Since the data set provided by the NFSA did not include any new information concerning the safety for the user and the environment...

-- Prinston
Pharmaceutical Inc., dba Solco Healthcare LLC., has initiated a voluntary recall of one (1) lot of Irbesartan and seven (7) lots of Irbesartan HCTZ Tablets to the consumer level due to the detection of trace amount of an unexpected impurity found in an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufactured by Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals.

Published on: Wed, 16 Jan 2019
The additive cassia gum consists mainly of high-molecular weight polysaccharides composed primarily of a linear chain of 1,4-b-D-mannopyranose units with 1,6-linked a-D-galactopyranose units. In 2014, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) delivered an opinion on the safety and efﬁcacy of cassia gum in cats and dogs. The Panel concluded, based on positive ﬁndings observed in a bacterial reverse mutation test with a semi-reﬁned cassia...

Published on: Wed, 16 Jan 2019
Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of two compounds belonging to chemical group 20 (aliphatic and aromatic mono‐ and di‐thiols and mono‐, di‐, tri‐, and polysulfides with or without additional oxygenated functional groups). 8‐Mercapto‐p‐menthan‐3‐one [12.038] and p‐menth‐1‐ene‐8‐thiol [12.085] are currently ...

Published on: Wed, 16 Jan 2019
The additive under assessment is pure benzoic acid (> 99.8%), manufactured in the form of flakes. It is intended to be used as a technological feed additive (acidity regulator) in feedingstuffs for weaned piglets and pigs for fattening, with maximum contents of 5,000 and 10,000 mg/kg complete feed, respectively. Benzoic acid is safe for weaned piglets at 5,000 mg/kg complete feed, and at 10,000 mg/kg complete feed for pigs for fattening. The use of benzoic acid in feedings...

Published on: Mon, 14 Jan 2019
Deccox®, containing decoquinate as the active substance, is a feed additive intended to be used for the prevention of coccidiosis in chickens for fattening at a dose range of 20–40 mg/kg complete feed. Decoquinate from Deccox® is safe for chickens for fattening at the highest applied concentration in complete feed of 40 mg/kg. No practically relevant interactions with other additives or veterinary drugs exist except with bentonite. Decoquinate does not have antibacterial a...

Published on: Mon, 14 Jan 2019
In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant Bayer CropScience submitted a request to the competent national authority in Greece to set an import tolerance for the active substance spiromesifen in coffee beans. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive a maximum residue level (MRL) proposal for coffee beans. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of spiromesife...

Published on: Fri, 11 Jan 2019
The Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the application for renewal of authorisation of organic form of selenium produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC R397 (Alkosel®) for all animal species. The FEEDAP Panel has delivered two opinions (on 2007 and 2016) on the safety and efficacy of the additive. The additive is characterised as organic selenium mainly selenomethionine (63%); it was ini...

Published on: Wed, 09 Jan 2019
The food enzyme alpha‐amylase (4‐α‐d‐glucan glucanohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.1) is produced with a genetically modified strain of Trichoderma reesei by Danisco US Inc. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. This α‐amylase is intended to be used in distilled alcohol production and brewing processes. Residual amounts of total organic solids (TOS) are removed by distill...

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. (SPII), a wholly owned subsidiary of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. is voluntarily recalling three lots of Vecuronium Bromide for Injection, 10 mg (lyophilized powder), and one lot of Vecuronium Bromide for Injection, 20 mg (lyophilized powder) to the hospital level. The Vecuronium Bromide for Injection has been found to contain particulate matter identified as glass.

Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited is expanding its voluntary recall from 2 lots of Losartan potassium tablets USP to a total of 10 lots, to the consumer level due to the detection of trace amounts of an unexpected impurity found in an active
pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufactured by Hetero Labs Limited. Torrent is only recalling lots of losartan-containing products that contain N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) above the acceptable daily intake levels released by the FDA.

Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. is conducting a voluntary recall of 80 lots of Amlodipine Valsartan Tablets USP, Valsartan HCTZ Tablets, USP and Valsartan Tablets USP to the consumer level due to the detection of trace amounts of an unexpected impurity found in the finished drug product. The impurity detected in the finished drug product is N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), which is a substance that occurs naturally in certain foods, drinking water, air pollution, and industrial processes, and has been classifi...

Published on: Fri, 21 Dec 2018
In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the Belgian Federal Public Service (FPS) for Health, Food chain safety and Environment, submitted an application as the competent national authority in Belgium to modify the existing maximum residue level (MRL) for the active substance captan in cranberries. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposal for cranberries. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement ...

Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited is voluntarily recalling 2 lots of Losartan potassium tablets, USP to the consumer level due to the detection of trace amounts of an unexpected impurity found in an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufactured by Hetero Labs Limited. The impurity detected in the API is N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), which is a substance that occurs naturally in certain foods, drinking water, air pollution, and industrial processes, and has been classified as a probable human carcinog...

Published on: Thu, 13 Dec 2018
In 2018, the EFSA NDA Panel adopted the Scientific Opinion on the safety of d‐ribose as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 when used in a variety of food, concluding that d‐ribose is safe for the general population at intake levels up to 36 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day, but that its safety at the intended uses and use levels as proposed by the applicant could not be established. Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA NDA Panel was aske...

Published on: Thu, 06 Dec 2018
The present scientific opinion deals with the assessment of the bioavailability of magnesium, from the proposed nutrient source, magnesium citrate malate (MgCM), when added for nutritional purposes to food supplements. MgCM is a mixed salt consisting of magnesium cations and citrate and malate anions, and with a magnesium content of 12–15%. MgCM is proposed to be used in food supplements that are intended to provide up to 300–540 mg/day magnesium. The data provided demonst...

Published on: Thu, 06 Dec 2018
The EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF) provides a scientific opinion re‐evaluating the safety of propane‐1,2‐diol esters of fatty acids (E 477) when used as a food additive. The Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) in 1978 endorsed the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 25 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day, expressed as propane‐1,2‐diol, established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) in 1974. No adverse effects were observed in short‐t...

Tris Pharma, Inc. has voluntarily recalled three (3) lots of Infants’ Ibuprofen Concentrated Oral Suspension, USP (NSAID) 50 mg per 1.25 mL, to the retail level. The recalled lots of the product have been found to potentially have higher concentrations of ibuprofen.

– Mylan N.V. (NASDAQ: MYL) today announced that its U.S. based Mylan Pharmaceuticals business is expanding its consumer-level voluntary nationwide recall to include all lots of Valsartan-containing products within expiry. The 104 additional lots include 26 lots of Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets, USP (including the 5mg/160mg, 10mg/160mg, 5mg/320mg and 10mg/320mg strengths), 51 lots of Valsartan Tablets, USP (including 40 mg, 80 mg, 160 mg and 320 mg strengths), and 27 lots of Valsartan and Hydrochloroth...

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that its Center for Veterinary Medicine has approved Pexion (imepitoin tablets) to treat noise aversion in dogs. Dogs with noise aversion are sensitive to loud noises such as fireworks, street/traffic noises, and gun shots.

Published on: Fri, 30 Nov 2018
The food enzyme endo‐1,4‐β‐xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) is produced with a genetically modified Trichoderma reesei (strain DP‐Nzd22) by DuPont. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. The endo‐1,4‐β‐xylanase is intended to be used in distilled alcohol production, bakery and brewery. Residual amounts of total organic solids (TOS) are removed during the production of dis...

FDA approved Firdapse (amifampridine) tablets for the treatment of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) in adults. LEMS is a rare autoimmune disorder. This is the first FDA approval of a treatment for LEMS.

The FDA approved Xospata (gilteritinib) tablets for the treatment of adult patients who have relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a FLT3 mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test.

Teva Pharmaceuticals has initiated a voluntary recall in the United States, to the patient level, of all lots of Amlodipine / Valsartan combination tablets and Amlodipine / Valsartan / Hydrochlorothiazide combination tablets (see table below) due to an impurity detected above specification limits in an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufactured by Mylan India.
The impurity found in Mylan’s valsartan API is known as N-nitroso-diethylamine (NDEA), which has been classified as a probable human carc...

Published on: Wed, 21 Nov 2018
Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of Monteban® G100 for ducks. Monteban® G100, containing narasin, is intended for the prevention of coccidiosis in ducks for fattening at a dose range of 60–70 mg/kg of complete feed. Narasin from Monteban® G100 is safe for ducks for fattening at a level of 70 mg/kg complete feed...

The FDA approved Daurismo (glasdegib) tablets to be used in combination with low-dose cytarabine (LDAC), a type of chemotherapy, for the treatment of newly-diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults who are 75 years of age or older or who have other chronic health conditions or diseases (comorbidities) that may preclude the use of intensive chemotherapy.

Mylan N.V. (NASDAQ: MYL) today announced that its U.S. based Mylan Pharmaceuticals business is conducting a voluntary nationwide recall to the consumer level of select lots of Valsartan-containing products, including six lots of Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets, USP (including the 5mg/160mg, 10mg/160mg, and 10mg/320mg strengths), seven lots of Valsartan Tablets, USP (including 40 mg, 80 mg, 160 mg, and 320 mg strengths), and two lots of Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets, USP 320mg/25mg strength. ...

Published on: Tue, 20 Nov 2018
The feed additive Monteban® G100, containing the active substance narasin, an ionophore anticoccidial, is intended to control coccidiosis in chickens for fattening at a dose of 60–70 mg/kg complete feed. Narasin is produced by fermentation. Limited data on the taxonomic identification of the production strain did not allow the proper identification of strain NRRL 8092 as Streptomyces aureofaciens. The FEEDAP Panel cannot conclude on the absence of genetic determinants for ...

Published on: Tue, 20 Nov 2018
In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant Syngenta Agro GmbH submitted a request to the competent national authority in Austria to set a maximum residue level (MRL) for the active substance mandipropamid in cocoa beans imported from Nigeria and Cameroon. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive a MRL proposal of 0.06 mg/kg. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the res...

Published on: Mon, 19 Nov 2018
In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant BASF SE submitted a request to the competent national authority in France to modify the existing maximum residue level (MRL) for the active substance pyraclostrobin in soyabean. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposals for soyabean. The applicant provided a new validated analytical method to control residues of pyraclostrobin on the commodity u...

Published on: Fri, 16 Nov 2018
The food enzyme is an endo‐1,4‐β‐xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) produced with a genetically modified strain of Aspergillus oryzae by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. This xylanase is intended to be used in baking and cereal‐based processes. Based on the proposed maximum use levels, dietary exposure to the food enzyme–total organic solids (TOS) was e...

Published on: Wed, 14 Nov 2018
The food enzyme maltogenic amylase (glucan 1,4‐a‐maltohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.133) is produced with a genetically modified Bacillus subtilis strain NZYM‐OC by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production microorganism and recombinant DNA. This maltogenic amylase is intended to be used in baking processes. Based on the maximum use levels recommended, dietary exposure to the food enzyme–...

Published on: Wed, 14 Nov 2018
The food enzyme maltogenic amylase (glucan 1,4‐α‐maltohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.133) is produced with a genetically modified Bacillus subtilis strain NZYM‐SO by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production microorganism and recombinant DNA. This maltogenic amylase is intended to be used in baking processes. Based on the maximum use levels, dietary exposure to the food enzyme–total organi...

Published on: Wed, 14 Nov 2018
The coccidiostat Monimax® (monensin sodium and nicarbazin) is considered safe for chickens for fattening and chickens reared for laying at the highest use level of 50 mg monensin and 50 mg nicarbazin/kg complete feed. This conclusion is extended to chickens reared for laying. For both active substances, the metabolic pathways in the chicken are similar to those in the turkey and rat. Nicarbazin, when ingested, is rapidly split in its two components dinitrocarbanilide (DNC)...

Published on: Wed, 14 Nov 2018
The food enzyme acetolactate decarboxylase (α‐acetolactate decarboxylase; EC 4.1.1.5) is produced with a genetically modified Bacillus licheniformis strain NZYM‐JB by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. This acetolactate decarboxylase is intended to be used in distilled alcohol production and brewing processes. Residual amounts of total organi...

Sandoz Inc. is voluntarily recalling one lot of Losartan Potassium Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets, USP 100mg/25mg to the consumer level. This product is being recalled due to the trace amount of an impurity, N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) contained in the API Losartan, USP manufactured by Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Sandoz Inc. Losartan Potassium Hydrochlorothiazide product is manufactured by Lek Pharmaceuticals dd, Ljubljana, Slovenia. This impurity, which is a substance that occurs naturally in ...